Megawati promises big results

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Indonesia's President Megawati Soekarnoputri, facing humiliating defeat in next month's elections, has opted for a radical new strategy - giving her first-ever media conference and releasing a detailed, populist, economic policy.

The famously reticent leader ended three years of dodging journalists by inviting them into her garden, fielding their awkward questions and then demonstrating skill in avoiding compromising answers.

With surveys showing Mrs Megawati's main rival, former general Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, far outpolling her, the President's adviser, Rizal Mallarangeng, said she should have been holding such events ever since she took the top job.

"Better late than never," he said, before requesting some easy questions to ensure this was not the last event of its type.

He need not have worried. Mrs Megawati appeared largely untroubled, whatever was asked.

The five-point policy is full of ambitious targets for basic services, targets that inevitably highlight the lack of progress in her three years as President.

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With some 40 million unemployed, she promised to create 12.9 million jobs but did not say how. She promised to employ 100,000 extra teachers each year without saying where the money would come from and she promised to slash the number of people in poverty by 45 per cent.

She even promised clean water for 55 per cent of people in towns and 30 per cent of people in villages within five years. In a country where there are almost no sewerage systems, and no clean water, it's doubtful many ordinary people will be convinced by such wild promises.

Still, public servants may be attracted to a promise of 15 per cent annual pay rise for five years.

Asked if such pay rises were responsible, Mrs Megawati's reply was typically general.

"I have explained that all of this is a continuation of the program of the cabinet that has been in place so far. Objectively the present economy will be improved so that it gets better."

Mrs Megawati is the first of the five candidates to put hard numbers in her policy and there were immediate signs this brave step would lead to confusion.

The Minister for State Owned Enterprises, Laksmana Sukardi, was forced to defend the policy. He said the pay rises would would only be paid where there were productivity improvements, although there are no such qualifications in the policy.

He also said corruption was a critical issue, although there was no mention of plans to tackle it.

With the election just five weeks off, Mrs Megawati's team say she will be seen a lot more in public. They are even planning bus trips across the country.

In the new era of openness, Mr Mallarangeng promised journalists would be welcome.